All is set for the first quarter-final match of the ongoing Club World Cub as Brazilian side Fluminense take on Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal.
The Saudi Arabia side grabbed the headlines when they eliminated Pep Guadiola’s Manchester City 4-3 after extra-time in the round of 16.
Fluminense are aware of this threat when they take on the Arabians at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando Florida tonight.
The Brazilians eliminated Inter Milan 2-0 to reach this stage of the competition and have not lost a match so far in this competition just like their opponents.
Al Hilal captain, Salem Al Dawsari is set to miss the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring problem. Key central defender Hassan Al Tambakti is still struggling with injury and could once again miss out. Veteran forward Abderrazak Hamdallah was signed on a short-term loan from fellow Saudi side Al Shabab and is expected to be involved here, with Aleksandar Mitrovic still not fit.
Al-Hilal celebrating their victory over Manchester City.
For Fluminense, Martinelli suffered a knock against Inter Milan and could be out of this one, and they will have to do without suspended left-back Rene following his second booking of the tournament against Inter.
“I think we’ve played very well in this competition”, said Fluminense’s centre-back, “It’s not easy to play against European teams, but the motivation for us is different. I’m very proud of my team and myself as well, because ten days ago I had a hamstring injury. Now we need to recover well because after three or four days we have to play again. I’m not young, you know? So I need to recover well.”
Al Hilal striker, Marcos Leonardo is fired up by his family, “I’ve had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the Intensive Care Unit. Today she’s fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her – she was able to watch the match. We have to think about our families – people who want the best for us. If they weren’t watching, I wouldn’t be here today.”
